Freedom of Entry parade to precede 2019 Carnival procession

The precision and spectacle of a rare Freedom of Entry parade and review will precede Saturday’s (September 21) highly anticipated 70th Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers parade through Toowoomba’s CBD.

Toowoomba Region Mayor Paul Antonio said residents and visitors would be treated to a double celebration with the Freedom of Entry parade starting in Herries Street (near Neil Street) from 2.15pm along the same route as the Grand Central Floral Parade, which is scheduled to start at 3pm.

Mayor Antonio said personnel from HMAS Toowoomba, 7th Signal Regiment (Cabarlah), 25th/49th Battalion, the Royal Queensland Regiment and the Army Aviation Training Centre (Oakey) would be honoured at Saturday’s Freedom of Entry parade. (The Army Aviation Training Centre will not march as a unit, but it will provide the Parade Commander and Parade Regimental Sergeant Major. Helicopters from the centre will perform flyovers during the parade)

“The Freedom of Entry parade will add a rich sense of pageantry to the day before the colour and excitement of the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers parade,” Mayor Antonio said.

“Toowoomba most recently hosted the company of HMAS Toowoomba in 2015 and I am pleased to welcome the ship’s officers, including Commander Mitchell Livingstone CSC, and a number of the company back to the city. The first Freedom of Entry parade was conducted in 2006.

“The Freedom of Entry parade originated in medieval Europe where citizens lived in walled cities and granted entry of military personnel as a mark of trust.

“Granting Freedom of Entry was considered a great honour for soldiers as citizens who feared attacks from enemy armies rarely allowed troops to enter their fortified cities.

“It is especially fitting that we are able to acknowledge the service of the company and officers of the long-range Anzac class frigate named in honour of our city and the personnel who will be on parade as we prepare for the start of our world-renowned Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers.

“I’m honoured to accept the invitation to be the Reviewing Officer for the Freedom of Entry parade on behalf of our region. We should never underestimate the duty performed by every one of our Defence Force personnel, especially the company serving across the world’s oceans on board HMAS Toowoomba.

“On behalf of the Toowoomba Region, I express my deep gratitude to the parade participants for their service to Australia.

“Our region has a long association and close affinity with the 7th Signal Regiment at Cabarlah and the Army Aviation Training Centre at Oakey.

“We also have a deep affection for the 25th Battalion, whose feats to stop and defeat Japanese forces at New Guinea’s Milne Bay in August 1942 (by joining the 9th and 61st Battalions in the deployment of the 7th Infantry Brigade) are commemorated each year. The 25th Battalion’s motto, ‘Never a Backward Step’, is a salient reminder of the courage and sacrifice exhibited by our veterans and all service personnel.

“Today’s serving personnel are the flagbearers of that proud legacy.

“I encourage Carnival crowds to show their respects for our Defence Force personnel by lining the parade route on Saturday.

“This is a rare moment in our history and a sight that will not be repeated for some time.”

More than 100 personnel will march on Saturday when the parade will be challenged by Darling Downs Police District Superintendent Mark Kelly in Herries Street (near Neil Street) to determine their ‘right’ to enter the city.

Mayor Antonio will review the static parade in Herries Street (in front of St Luke’s Church) before receiving a General Salute followed by a flyover by the Army Aviation Training Centre.

After an address by the Mayor, the parade will march along Ruthven Street and conduct an Eyes Right as they pass City Hall, paying their respects to the Mayor and the City of Toowoomba.

Dignitaries involved in the Freedom of Entry parade include Host Officer – Major General Kathryn Campbell AO, CSC, Commander 2nd Division; Commander Mitchell Livingstone, CSC – Commanding Officer HMAS Toowoomba; Lieutenant Colonel Michael Mudie – Commanding Officer 7th Signal Regiment; Lieutenant Colonel Bryce Hertslet – Commanding Officer 25th/49th Battalion, The Royal Queensland Regiment and Colonel Eamon Barton – Commandant Army Aviation Training Centre and Parade Commander; Parade Regimental Sergeant Major Warrant Officer Class One Mark Gaskell OAM and the Harlaxton RSL Brass Band (including members of the Harlaxton RSL Band, Toowoomba Brass Band and Amberley Brass Band).

Caption: The company of HMAS Toowoomba marches in the 2015 Freedom of Entry parade through Toowoomba in June 2015. A small contingent of the ship’s company will be joined by personnel from 7th Signal Regiment, 25th/49th Battalion, The Royal Queensland Regiment and the Army Aviation Training Centre on Saturday before the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers parade.